The Cure for Low-Wage Jobs

When it comes to the impact of low-wage work on children and families, are today's young people just lazy? Do low-wage workers start families they cannot hope to support? Is it possible for young people to avoid becoming stuck in low-wage jobs in the first place?

There are multiple reasons why millions of Americans are struggling to support themselves while earning poverty or near poverty wages. Among these reasons is the disproportionate number of low-wage jobs already in existence, and the fact that most of the new jobs being created (and projected to be created in the near future) are low wage.

But in this environment the question of personal responsibility, particularly when it comes to job training and career planning, also figures in. Except for those born into true privilege, pursuing some type of education or specialized occupational training is the only defense against economic instability.